Recently in Fashion Category

Q. I am a size 14-16 and I am 5’8” and work in a bank. We have strict rules on no back or tummies to be revealed when bending over and raising your arms. Where can I find reasonably priced tops and pants that give enough rise and length to be professional? I also wear jeans on casual days and my jeans sit just below my waist. I need a pair that doesn’t cling to my thighs so I have wiggle room.
-Clothes Don’t Fit

A. I scoured our online sources for professional choices that will give you coverage in the front and back. For waist coverage, wide bands around the waistline can be flattering. Plus the new belted and tunic styles are stylish and cut longer and belted styles will help create an illusion of a smaller waist. Or try one of this season’s cropped jackets over a longer tunic or tank. For pants, look for styles that have a slightly wider leg. If you opt forjeans, trouser styles are flattering with a wider leg cut, they look more professional - plus you can dress them up for a night out.

left to right: Belted tunic with button detail, $24.99 at lanebryant.com; Vivid print cap-sleeve blouse, $44.50 at lanebryant.com; Belted railroad-stripe shirt, $39.50 at lanebryant.com; Eyelet cotton pique jacket, $79.50 at lanebryant.com; Semantiks Faux Wrap Sweater, $58 at nordstrom.com; Solid Chelsea wide-leg pant, $49.50 at lanebryant.com; Svoboda ‘Kate’ Stretch Denim Trouser Jeans at nordstrom.com; Jones New York Collection Flat Front Crepe Pants, $99 at nordstrom.com

Q. I just found these fabulous Paige Denim jeans at Nordstrom Rack and bought them because they seriously fit like a dream! They are ivory—when is it OK to wear them? In my opinion, they look great with spring colored tops, a cute, fitted dark denim jacket and tan strappy sandals. But can I wear them in summer and fall? What’s the rule with off-white?
—Dreaming of Jeans

A. You’ve bought a pair of jeans you can wear all year just by changing the fabrication of your tops. In summer, pair your new jeans with tanks, camisoles, short sleeve tops and tees and add sandals. In fall and winter, pair them with darker hued sweaters, tops and fitted jackets and add boots.

Q. I will be going through sorority recruitment this summer and need help finding some appropriate clothes. Clothing is among the many ways a person is judged and I need some help of what to wear that is appropriate and stands out in a good way. Can you suggest any fun yet classy outfits? Thanks very much.
-Girl in a Rush

A. It will be summer so you’ll be dealing with hot temps and you want to look cool. First step is to make a list of the types of activities you’ll be involved in, including meet and greets, interviews and parties. Look for stylish tops to pair with chic shorts and espadrilles, sundresses with great earrings, big cuff or a beaded necklace, and skirts with a top and wide belt. And incorporate espadrilles, strappy sandals and cute ballet flats with your outfits.

Try pairing colorful accessories with a simple dress that can be dressed up or down:

left to right from jcrew.com: V-neck jersey knit dress, $88; Glass-bead necklace, $25; Frosted Palmetto bangle, $65

You can’t go wrong with a flirty floral dress. Or pair a white patent belt with this simple eyelet dress:

left to right: Velvet Torch Scoop Neck Empire Dress, $52 at nordstrom.com; Ruby Rox Eyelet Shirtdress, $52 at nordstrom.com; Patent Leather Skinny Belt, $29 at ardenb.com

Mix and match feminine tops with skirts:

left to right: Free People Coarse Cotton Tie Top, $68 at urbanoutfitters.com; Gabby Tunic, $32.50 at delias.com; Gina Top, $26.50 at delias.com; Pindot skirt, $118 at jcrew.com; Anchor mini, $69.50 at jcrew.com

Finally, add some cute top & shorts combinations for casual days:

left to right: Coco Halter, $26.50 at delias.com; 7” chino short, $39.50 at jcrew.com; Free People Pool Side Blossom, $59.99 at urbanoutfitters.com; 7” chino short, $39.50 at jcrew.com;; Free People Scarf Cami, $58 at urbanoutfitters.com; 5” chino short, $39.50 at jcrew.com

Q. I love all of your helpful advice! I am writing because lately I have been longing for a sweater dress, in a slightly shorter length (above the knee, but not obscenely so). The problem is most that I find are too thin/sheer, or simply cost an arm and a leg. I love the ones from Vince with the pockets, but they are too pricey. I don’t mind paying more for a wardrobe staple but not for something as trendy as this. I am looking for something in the $50-150 range, any ideas?
-Bare Knit

A. We’re past the season for all the sweater dress best picks. I found very few at this time of year that fell within your price range since this time of year is really about sundresses. Go with the warm weather looks instead and come Fall you’ll have multiple knobby knit picks.

left to right: Kersh Kimono Sleeve Tunic, $78 at nordstrom.com; James Perse Long Short Sleeve Cardigan, $188 at shopbop.com; Ya-Ya Swahili Beach Marine Dress, $184.80 at shopbop.com

Q. I’m about to graduate from college, and have been doing a lot of interviewing at New York City PR firms. I know you’re supposed to dress pretty conservatively for interviews, but wearing a suit to an office where most people are dressed fashion/casual seems a little silly to me. What can I wear that is both fashionable and appropriate for my interviews?
-Currently Unemployed

A. Before you head to the interview, do some research on each PR firm regarding their client list. If their clients are fashion, beauty, media, internet or alcohol related then you can skip the suit. If the firms cover medical, financial arenas or products that you don’t necessarily know much about, then go slightly conservative. I haven’t worn a full suit in years, I don’t even think I own a suit anymore. For most PR firm interviews, I would suggest wearing separates like a stylish top, jacket and flat front pants with heels or wedge. You can also consider a skirt and top and, if not revealing, a dress (meaning: it has sleeves and doesn’t show cleavage). If you choose a suit, then be sure it fits your body well, isn’t boxy, and wear a colorful top or shirt underneath the jacket.

Here are some suggested looks:

Try a pretty cropped jacket or cardigan with a skirt or slim trousers.

French-stripe peacoat sweater, $180 at jcrew.com; Semantiks ‘City’ Denim Pants, $68 at nordstrom.com; gyptian-cotton printed Katie cardigan, $95 at jcrew.com; Nanushka Pleated Skirt, $198 at nordstrom.com

This white cropped jacket can be paired with a full polka dot skirt or cropped pants and patterned underpinning for chic alternatives to a suit.

Semantiks Sateen Pintuck Jacket, $138 at nordstrom.com; Necessary Objects Full Skirt, $44 at nordstrom.com; Retro dot cashmere shell, $89.99 at jcrew.com; Michael Kors Crop Pants, $69.50 at nordstrom.com

If you do opt for a suit, be sure to wear a colorful feminine top underneath to keep the look young and fresh.

To The Max! Notch Collar Jacket, $138 at nordstrom.com; To The Max! Pencil Skirt, $88 at nordstrom.com; Silk/cotton pintuck blouse, $64 at bananarepublic.com; Silk dot-print blouse, $68 at bananarepublic.com